This private full-day experience at Château Ferrière, a 3ème Grand Cru Classé in the Margaux appellation, is designed exclusively for Ophorus guests and is not available through any other tour operator. It combines a privileged tour of the estate and its vineyards, a guided tasting of Château Ferrière wines, and a hands-on cooking class led by a chef — culminating in a gourmet lunch you have prepared yourself, paired with the wines of the estate. And at the centre of every moment of the day is Claire Villars Lurton, owner of Château Ferrière and awarded Vigneronne de l'Année 2024.
Château Ferrière and the Margaux Appellation
The Margaux appellation is celebrated above all for the elegance and finesse of its wines — a distinctive quality shaped by the deep gravel soils and excellent drainage of this stretch of the Médoc's Left Bank, which produce Cabernet Sauvignon-dominant wines of remarkable aromatic complexity and silky texture. Château Ferrière is one of the appellation's most intimate and storied estates — a 3ème Grand Cru Classé since 1855, with a history rooted in the heart of the village of Margaux itself. Under the ownership and direction of Claire Villars Lurton, the estate has undergone a profound renewal, with a commitment to precision viticulture and minimal intervention winemaking that has earned it recognition among the most thoughtful producers in the appellation.
A Privileged Tour and Tasting with Claire Villars Lurton
On arrival at Château Ferrière, Claire Villars Lurton welcomes you personally for a guided tour of the property and vineyards. She shares the history of the estate, her vision for its wines, and her approach to viticulture in the Margaux terroir — the soils, the microclimate, the grape varieties, and the decisions that shape the character of each vintage. The visit continues with a guided tasting of Château Ferrière wines, structured to help you understand their identity and expression through the eyes of the person who makes them.
Cooking Class and Gourmet Lunch
The experience moves from tasting to creation with a private cooking class led by a chef in the château kitchen. Together you prepare dishes that are chosen specifically to highlight the wines you have just discovered — exploring the principles of food and wine pairing in a hands-on, convivial setting. You then sit down to enjoy the meal you have prepared, accompanied by a carefully selected range of Château Ferrière wines. Claire Villars Lurton remains present throughout lunch, pairing each course and continuing the conversation that began in the vineyard.
Your English-speaking driver-guide collects you from your accommodation in Bordeaux and returns you at the end of the day. The experience is fully private, for your group only, for groups of 2 to 8 guests.
